Match Preview for Equatorial Guinea v Algeria
Equatorial Guinea face group leaders Algeria on Wednesday evening in the final Group E fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
While Algeria have already secured qualification for the round of 16 with maximum points, the stakes are considerably higher for Equatorial Guinea, who require a positive result and favourable outcomes elsewhere to keep their slim hopes of progression alive.
Equatorial Guinea arrive at the group finale following a difficult campaign in Morocco, having failed to convert encouraging spells into tangible results.
That pattern was evident in their opening fixture against Burkina Faso, where a late Marvin Anieboh goal briefly put them ahead before conceding twice in stoppage time to lose 2-1, despite playing much of the second half with a numerical advantage.
Their situation worsened on Sunday with a 1-0 defeat to Sudan, as an unfortunate second-half own goal from Saul Coco proved decisive in Casablanca.
Those consecutive losses leave Equatorial Guinea bottom of Group E with zero points, meaning they must defeat Algeria and improve a poor goal difference to have any chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.
Historically, Equatorial Guinea’s strongest AFCON showing came in 2015, when they reached the semi-finals as tournament hosts, but recent form highlights their inconsistency at continental level.
Across their last six competitive matches, they have scored just three goals while conceding seven, underlining the attacking improvement required to trouble Algeria.
Meetings between the two nations have been relatively rare, though Equatorial Guinea famously beat Algeria during the 2021 AFCON group stage before drawing twice and losing once in subsequent encounters.
Algeria, by contrast, arrive in Rabat with momentum firmly on their side after securing qualification with two wins from two matches.
The Desert Warriors opened their campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sudan, with Riyad Mahrez scoring twice, before sealing progress with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burkina Faso thanks to a Mahrez penalty.
Under Vladimir Petkovic, Algeria have shown tactical control and efficiency, with the narrow win over Burkina Faso demonstrating their ability to manage tight matches when required.
Mahrez remains central to their attacking output, extending his record as Algeria’s all-time leading AFCON scorer and topping the tournament scoring charts so far.
Team news for Equatorial Guinea v Algeria
Equatorial Guinea head coach Juan Micha may be forced into changes following injuries to Santiago Eneme and Pedro Obiang, both of whom were withdrawn during the defeat to Sudan.
Basilio Ndong remains suspended after his red card against Burkina Faso, while Pablo Ganet and Josete Miranda could return to the starting XI.
With goals in short supply, veteran forward Emilio Nsue could be recalled to the lineup after starting recent matches on the bench.
Algeria are monitoring minor fitness concerns for Jaouen Hadjam and Samir Chergui, but neither issue is considered serious.
With top spot already secured, Petkovic is expected to rotate his squad, potentially handing opportunities to players such as Adil Boulbina, Anis Hadj Moussa, Fares Chaibi and Ramiz Zerrouki, while Anthony Mandrea may start in goal.
Expected line-ups for Equatorial Guinea v Algeria
Equatorial Guinea: Owono; Akapo, Orozco, Coco, Anieboh; Mascarell, Ganet, Machin; Salvador, Miranda, Nsue
Algeria: Mandrea; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Zerrouki, Boulbina, Chaibi; Moussa, Amoura, Bounedjah
How to watch Equatorial Guinea v Algeria: TV channel, online stream
Kick-off on Wednesday is at 16:00 GMT (11:00 ET / 08:00 PT). In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.
Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.
The stats for Equatorial Guinea v Algeria
• Equatorial Guinea have lost both of their Group E matches at AFCON 2025
• Equatorial Guinea have scored zero goals in two group-stage fixtures
• Equatorial Guinea have conceded three goals across their AFCON campaign
• Equatorial Guinea have won just one of their last six competitive matches
• Algeria have won both of their AFCON group games without conceding from open play
• Algeria have kept two clean sheets in their last three AFCON matches
• Riyad Mahrez has scored three goals in two matches at AFCON 2025
• Algeria have won five of their last six matches in all competitions
Prediction
Equatorial Guinea
2
–
2
Algeria
Equatorial Guinea have everything to play for and know that only a win will keep their knockout-stage hopes alive, which could lead to a more open contest than expected.
With Algeria likely to rotate and give opportunities to fringe players, the Nzalang Nacional may find space to exploit, but the Desert Warriors still possess enough quality to respond, making a high-scoring draw a realistic outcome.
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